GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (16:25): I have a supplementary question. Based on the leader's answer, can he confirm that the media offer from the Premier to the former Liberal premier, Mr John Olsen, is specifically for the expertise which is lacking in the government, or is it for political benefit to the government?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (16:25): I can only repeat that this government has employed people on the basis of their merits. People who work for the media invariably work for all sorts of people; I understand that Hendrik Gout, of The Independent Weekly, for example, used to work for a former federal Labor minister—he has also worked for Sandra Kanck, as well as a whole lot of other people during his political career—and I do not think anyone would say that, with many of his comments, Hendrik was a friend of the Labor Party. That is true of many people who have worked in the media, but in relation to other members they should be chosen on their merits, and I am quite happy to defend the calibre of the people involved.

However, at the end of the day it will be down to the proper processes for the appointment of people within the Public Service. The Hon. Rob Lucas complained, in his first question, that in fact there would be no process in relation to that.